Reproductive biology of boana pulchella and boana punctata (Anura: Hylidae) in sympatric populations of temperate wetlands

Abstract

Boana pulchella mainly inhabits temperate climates while B. punctata mainly inhabits tropical climates, which would allow assuming the presence of different reproductive strategies, even in the region in which their populations are sympatric. In the present study, we analyzed and compared the reproductive cycles, reproductive parameters, and fat bodies development of Boana pulchella and B. punctata inhabiting in sympatry in temperate wetlands of the Middle Paraná River. Boana pulchella presented mature ovaries from March to December. There was no seasonal variation in testicular size of males, and their fat bodies development was greater during winter. This species exhibited a continuous breeding pattern. The vitellogenesis of B. punctata began in January (summer), reaching higher ovarian development in February (summer) and decreasing to May (autumn). Testicles of males grew in summer and decline in autumn. Fat bodies presented their developmental peak in January for both sexes. This species exhibited a prolonged breeding season. Both species showed sexual dimorphism with larger females having a greater inversion in reproduction. Boana pulchella showed greater reproductive effort (RE = 20.48 ± 12.9) and ovarian size factor (OSF = 25.73) than B. punctata (RE = 10.06 ± 4.45; OSF = 8.99). We also found interspecific differences in ovarian mass, ovarian complement, and testicular volume, these variables being proportionally greater in B. pulchella. Observed differences in sympatric populations could reside in the development of reproductive strategies under different evolutionary pressures.